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The “Green Deal” and EPCs

The Energy Bill introduced to Parliament on 8 December 2010 includes provision for a new “Green Deal” which the Government believes will revolutionise the energy efficiency of British properties. The Government is establishing a framework to enable private firms to offer consumers energy efficiency improvements to their homes, community spaces and businesses at no upfront cost, and recoup payments through a charge in instalments on the energy bill. It is anticipated that the Green Deal will be launched in Autumn 2012. To qualify for the Green Deal, expected savings in typical properties consuming a normal amount of energy must be equal to or greater than the cost of the measure.

Interestingly the measures installed must have been recommended for that property by an accredited, objective adviser who has carried out an assessment. The Government is reviewing options for carrying out the assessment of commercial buildings, including the corresponding EPC.

For commercial property landlords the Government is proposing powers to require landlords to bring their property up to a defined threshold before it can be rented out again, subject to there being no up-front financial cost to landlords (using Green Deal finance or equivalent).